Police have issued an appeal for information on the one year anniversary of a brutal attack on a great-grandmother, 87, who died as a result of her injuries.
Eileen Blane was kicked and punched to the ground by a vicious robber who forced his way into her home, in Stretford, Greater Manchester in February last year.
Now police are re-appealing in the hope that someone will come forward with new information, as well as releasing never-before-seen CCTV footage and an e-fit of two men they want to identify.
Eileen Blane, 87, was kicked and punched to the ground by a vicious robber who forced his way into her home, in Stretford, Greater Manchester in February last year. She died two months after the attack, just days after being released from hospital
Now police are re-appealing for information in the hope that people will come forward with new information. As well as releasing never-before-seen CCTV footage and an e-fit of two men they want to identify
The widow spent two months in hospital recovering for her injuries but died just hours after being discharged.
Despite a £50,000 reward, a widespread investigation and appeals to the public, officers have yet to find the killer, who battered the octogenarian for her wedding ring and hurled her beloved dog Sammie against a wall.
Eileen escaped when the thief went upstairs. She grabbed pet Sammie and ran out of the house to the safety of a neighbour who rang police and paramedics.
Her attacker is described as white, aged in his 20s, about 5ft 8ins tall, slim build and he was wearing a dark coloured jacket with the hood covering his face.
The substantial reward still stands for anyone with information that leads to the successful conviction of the offender.
Detective Inspector John Mulvihill from GMP’s Major Incident Team said: ‘We have three key sightings on the day Eileen was brutally attacked and we are desperate to hear from the public.
Her attacker is described as white, aged in his 20s, about 5ft 8ins tall, slim build and he was wearing a dark coloured jacket with the hood covering his face
‘Firstly, we have an e-fit of a man seen between 1.30pm and 1.45pm on Chatsworth Road – just five minutes away from Eileen’s home.
‘He was described as white, about 25-years-old, clean shaven and wearing a dark hooded top with the hood up.
‘Secondly, we have CCTV of a young man in Co-Op on the Barton Road at 2.30pm where Eileen had been earlier that day.
‘And lastly, a man was witnessed on Castleton Avenue about 3pm near to the junction with Bradwell Avenue. Again this man is described as white, in his late teens to early 20s and he was wearing a dark coloured puffa-style jacket.
‘This man had gaunt facial features and sandy/ginger coloured hair which was short at the sides and slightly longer on top.
‘I implore anyone who recognises these men to get in touch or if you believe this is you please contact us immediately. It is vital that these three men are eliminated from our enquiries.
‘Even the smallest piece of information could be crucial in helping us find the person responsible for Eileen’s murder and hopefully give her family the answers and closure they deserve.’
The widow spent two months in hospital recovering for her injuries but died just hours after being discharged (pictured on her wedding day)
Following the death of Ms Blane, her granddaughter Hayley Blane, 26, said: ‘The cause of this is obvious to us as a family. She was a fit and healthy, strong-willed lady and this really knocked the wind out of her sails.
‘I don’t think for one second she would have died if it wasn’t for that awful attack.
‘As a family, we are all heartbroken that this is the reason for nanna’s death. We are all trying to come to terms with the fact that she was attacked at all and now we have lost our nanna.’
Eileen’s family released a shocking picture of the injuries she had suffered in the aftermath of the robbery in February last year.
During the attack, the robber dragged her along her hallway after she answered a knock on her door. He then pushed her into the kitchen where he forced her against a hob.
He told her she ‘wouldn’t get out of the house alive’ unless she handed over gold and cash.
Eileen lost husband David 13 years ago and had never removed her wedding ring for 63 years before the robber ripped it from her finger
Eileen lost husband David 13 years ago and had never removed her wedding ring for 63 years before the robber ripped it from her finger.
Following the attack, well-wishers set up a JustGiving page which raised hundreds for a replica ring but Eileen died before it was given to her.
Det Chf Insp Paul Parker, of Greater Manchester Police, branded the attack ‘disgusting and intrusive’.